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I will not dissemble the first emotions of joy on the recovery of my freedom, and, perhaps, the establishment of my fame. But my pride was soon humbled, and a sober melancholy was spread over my mind, by the idea that I had taken an everlasting leave of an old and agreeable companion, and that whatsoever might be the future date of my History, the life of the historian must be short and precarious.

— Edward Gibbon

... vicissitudes of fortune, which spares neither man nor the proudest of his works, which buries empires and cities in a common grave.

— Edward Gibbon

Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.

— Edward Gibbon

Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.

— Edward Gibbon

Beauty is an outward gift, which is seldom despised, except by those to whom it has been refused.

— Edward Gibbon

The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverable lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive.

— Edward Gibbon

The various modes of worship, which prevailed in the Roman world, were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher, as equally false; and by the magistrate, as equally useful.

— Edward Gibbon

Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.

— Edward Gibbon

On the approach of spring I withdraw without reluctance from the noisy and extensive scene of crowds without company, and dissipation without pleasure.

— Edward Gibbon

All that is human must retrograde if it does not advance.

— Edward Gibbon

All that is human must retrograde if it do not advance.

— Edward Gibbon

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

— Edward Gibbon

The laws of probability, so true in general, so fallacious in particular.

— Edward Gibbon

The reign of Antoninus is marked by the rare advantage of furnishing very few materials for history, which is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.

— Edward Gibbon

In every deed of mischief he had a heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.

— Edward Gibbon

The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

— Edward Gibbon

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